Melissa Morris, the "My 600-lb Life" shero who lost a quarter ton, is struggling to keep the weight off. She's finding that life after gastric bypass on the TLC Reality TV show has been challenging but not as difficult as is was with morbid obesity. And Melissa's story teaches vital lessons on the limitations of bariatric surgery and the importance of changing family eating habits.

Gastric bypass loses weight but won't keep it off

Morris, of Houston Texas, grew to morbid obesity by her 30th birthday.

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She began her weight loss journey at a deadly 673 pounds. She wanted to lose weight to get healthy but also because she wanted to have children. After tons of hard work and the skilled ministrations of bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, Melissa had lost over 500 pounds and was down to one-quarter of her original size. At her smallest, Morris weighed about 160. She was able to give birth to three healthy children and got a job as a patient care assistant helping other obese people at Dr. Now's weight loss clinic.

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But pregnancy took its toll on Melissa's weight.

Pregnancy weight gain as worrying as obesity

With the first baby, Melissa only gained a healthy 20 pounds. But with her second, she gained 100 pounds. That's four to five times more than the recommended amount. After the birth of the baby, Melissa, like so many pregnant women who gain too much, didn't take the weight off. That weight gain is down to the many myths circulating about gestation. Not only do moms not need the extra weight, it is dangerous for mother and baby. Maternal obesity can lead to gestational diabetes.

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Secrets to losing baby fat: don't gain it

After giving birth, mothers lose only about 10-15 pounds (baby weight, fluid and placenta). All the other weight is just fat. Worst of all are the women who say they gain weight all over in pregnancy. The only place a woman should gain is in the abdomen, breast, and maybe a little in the bottom for birthing.

Family eating habits

Melissa blamed the food her kids ate for weight gain. She says it was hard to have all that "kid food" around the house and not eat it.

The secret here is not to buy "kid food" in the first place. Feed children the same healthy meals you prepare for yourself. Read nutrition labels and skip candy, sugar, pop and empty calories. Don't even call junk food "treats"-- a treat is something that is good for you and sugary snacks aren't. A little is okay, but it shouldn't be a steady, dailydiet. That's the way to lose weight and avoid generational and childhood obesity.

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